Squeeze mop



Dec, M D. SMYTH ETAL SQUEEZE MOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1965Dec, fi, 1966 D. SMYTH ETAL SQUEEZE MOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 27,1965 United States Patent 3,289,233 SQUEEZE MOP Donald Smyth, Forbes,South Australia, and Raymond H. Morriss, Grange, South Australia,Australia, assignors to S. A. Brush Company Limited, Albert Park, SouthAustralia, Australia Filed July 27, 1965, Ser. No. 475,103

Claims priority, application Australia, July 30, 1964,

Claims. (Cl. -116) This invention relates to an improved squeeze mop.

Squeeze mops have been proposed heretofore which comprise a sponge whichis adapted to form the operative surface of the mop and which is somounted on a holding member that on actuation of a lever or the like thesponge can be gripped between appropirate parts and squeezed to forceany water from it.

There are a number of ways in which the squeezing action can be obtainedsuch as by moving rollers or the like over a centrally held sponge whichexert the necessary pressure, or to so mount the sponge about a centralplane that squeeze members moved by rollers engaging same can be swungto fold the sponge about its centre and to then exert presure on to thetwo folded halves.

It will be realised that the latter form of the device, which is thegeneral form of the present invention, poses a number of problems in themounting of the sponge and the supporting of the squeeze or pressureexerting members on a frame which will allow simplicity of constructionbut effective operation.

The present invention therefore has as an object a squeeze mop in whichan improved construction is attained which will not only simplify themechanism involved but will also give a relatively cheaper constructionyet one which will give effective squeezing of the sponge coupled withgood operation of same when it is being used as a mop.

A further object is to so effect the squeezing that damage to the spongedue to internal pressures does not occur.

A still further object is to be able to control the extent of thesqueezing for wet or dry mopping.

The improved squeeze mop according to this invention comprises atransversely extending frame, handle support means on the frame, asqueeze member comprising two pressure members hingedly connectedtogether to form a support for a sponge, control members hingedlycoupling the pressure members with the frame, and means to move thepressure members arcuately by moving their interconnecting hinge toextend the pressure members for mopping and to fold the pressure membersfor squeezing.

This then results in a squeeze mop in which sponge means fold about acentral hinge by moving this central hinge, while the pressure membersmove arcuately under influence of the control members, thereby exertinga squeezing action on the sponge means increasing with the distance thecentral hinge is moved.

To enable the invention to be fully appreciated an embodiment thereofwill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of such an embodiment,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section,

FIG. 3 is a transverse section, as on line 33 of FIG. 2 but showing thesponge removed,

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the operative mechanism in squeezeposition,

FIG. 5 is a perspecteive view of the squeeze member, and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the operating lever.

The squeeze member 1 is formed of a single plastic moulding in which thehinges are formed by thinner 3,289,233 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 sections onthe plastic, the squeeze member comprising a central operating member 2reinforced by means of an upstanding web 3 to give a central point fromwhich it can be actuated, while on each side this central member hasthinner longitudinally positioned hinging sections 4 from which heavierpressure members 5 extend outwardly. At approximately the centres of thesections 4 joined the control members 6, again by thinner sections 7 ofthe same plastic, so that the complete squeeze member 1 is of unitaryconstruction formed from a suitable plastic, and can then simply beengaged on the main frame 8 which is shaped to give correct actuation ofthe squeeze member under influence of guides and operating mechanisms.

The actual shape of the squeeze member 1 is such that normally it isdisposed with the central member 2 and the two pressure members 5substantially in the same plane but with the control members 6projecting approximately at right angles therefrom, these controlmembers 6 having their upper edges engaged on lugs 9 on the main frame8, the unit being normally held in this way so that the sponge which isattached to the underside of the squeeze member can engage the groundduring a mopping operation. The lugs 9 engage slots 10 in the controlmembers 6, the top edges of the control members being accommodated incorner sections of of the main frame 8.

When the mechanism which operates the squeeze member is actuated thecentral member 2 of the squeeze member 1 is pulled upwardly at righangles to the plane of the squeeze member, and the action of this is tomove the two pressure members 5 under influence of the control members 6to swing the pressure members 5 inwardly and upwardly in an arcuatemanner and to thus bend the sponge 12 about its centre and fore one halfof same against the other half as these pressure members 5 movetogether, this action effectively squeezing any moisture from the sponge12 and allowing the sponge to then again assume its operative positionby releasing the central part 2 of the squeeze member 1 to allow it toswing back into operating position.

The main frame 8 comprises a somewhat U-shaped member 15 which in use isinverted and has outwardly projecting flanges 16 at its open end whichare bent downwardly at their extremities 17, these forming the meanswhich support the control members 6 of the pressure members 5, thecontrol members 6 lying against them when the sponge is in operativeposition.

Fitted to one side of this main frame 8 is a handle support 18 intowhich the handle 19 is engaged, a wing nut 20 in a bolt 21 locking thehandle in place.

The main frame 8 has the inturned lugs 9* on it which engage through theslots 10 in the control members 6 and lock these control members 6 tothe frame 8, the lugs 9 however allowing the control members to swingfrom a position where they lie against the downturned ends 9 of theflanges to a position where they lie along the underside of theoutaturned flanges 16, that is they move from a position where theyproject approximately downwardly from the main frame when in operativeposition to a position where they lie in approximately the same plane,having moved inwards about the corner sections 11 until the edges whichare hinged to the pressure members 5 of this squeeze member 1 approacheach other.

The central member 2 of the squeeze member 1 is provided with anupstanding web 3 as stated which serves the purpose of supporting a pairof upstanding guide pins 23 which pass through bushings 24 in the upperpart of the main frame 8, these guide pins 23 ensuring that the centralmember 2 will not tilt in use or when it is drawn up into the invertedU-shaped portion of the main frame 8 when a squeezing operation is beingeffected.

Also engaged on this upstanding web 3 is the mechanism which pulls thecentral member upwardly within the main frame during a squeezingoperation, this comprising a rod 25 which hooks through an aperture 26in the central upstanding web 3 of the central member 2 and whichextends upwardly along the handle to a lever 27 which is normally in adownward position to hold the squeeze member in its extended relativelyfiat location, but when this lever 27 is actuated, the rod 25 moves thecentral member 2 upwardly until the two pressure members lieapproximately side by side with the folded sponge 12 firmly squeezedbetween them.

The lever 27 is hinged at 28 to a base 29 which is secured to the handle19, the rod 25 having a hook 30'whicl1 engages a pin 31 on the lever 27.

From the foregoing it will be realised that a highly effective moppingand squeezing operation is possible because the squeeze member 1 canmove from a position where it is approximately horizontal when moppingis proceeding, to a position where it is folded on itself about thecentral member 2 to cause the folded sponge to be squeezed dry. Whilethe squeeze member can be built up, it will be realised that bycompletely moulding it in one piece, a highly effective constructionresults which will carry out the functions in an admirable manner.

With reference to the actual operation of the device it will be clearthat the central member 2 as it moves upwardly will cause the controlmembers 6 to hinge inwardly about their contact points with the cornersections 11 of the main frame 8, the pressure members 5 changing theirposition appropriately as they are moved into the squeezing position,but actually there will be only a slight movement between the controlmembers 6 and the pressure members 5 so that the hinging means 7 betweenthese can be relatively rigid. The hinging means 4 of the pressuremembers 5 to the central member 2 is required to move through a greaterare but this can be achieved by use of thin sections of modern plasticssuch as polypropylene.

The sponge 12, is detachably secured to the pressure members 5 bythreaded stems 32 on plates 33 cemented to the sponge 12, these stems 32passing through apertures 34 in the pressure members 5 and having nuts36 engaged thereon to lock the assembly together.

Preferably one of the longitudinal edges 38 of the pressure members 5 isserrated or brush shaped as shown at 39 for removal of spots or anytightly adhering material.

A rod guide 40 is preferably positioned on the handle 19.

The central member could be omitted provided the hinge between the twopressure members is of such a nature that the hinging plane can be movedup and down to give the arcuate movement of the pressure members whileleaving sufficient width between the members to accommodate the foldedsponge.

How hard this hinging plane is drawn up decides how much squeezing willbe effected so that a relatively wet or dry mopping can result.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What We claim is:

1.v In an improved squeeze mop comprising a transversely extendingframe, handle support means on the frame, a squeeze member comprisingtwo pressure members hingedly connected to form a support for a sponge,control members hingedly attached to the pressure members intermediatetheir edges and operatively coupled to the said transversely extendingframe, means connected to the pressure members to move them arcuatelyunder guidance of the control members by moving the hingedinterconnection in a medial plane, whereby to move the pressure membersfrom a position where they are relatively 'co-exten sive for mopping toa position where they are substantially parallel for squeezing, the saidtwo pressure members as well as the control members being all formed ofa plastic material with the hinges thereof formed by thinner sections ofthe plastic whereby a single piece unit is formed.

2. In an improved squeeze mop comprising a transversely extending frame,handle support means on the frame, a squeeze member comprising a centraloperating member and two pressure members hingedly connected to theedges of the operating member to form a support for a sponge, controlmembers hingedly attached to the pressure members intermediate theiredges and operatively coupled to the said transversely extending frame,and means connected to the operating member to move the operating memberin a plane medial to the pressure members from a position where they arerelatively co-extensive for mopping to a position where they aresubstantially parallel for squeezing, the said central operating memberand the two pressure members as well as the control members being allformed of a plastic material with the hinges thereof formed by thinnersection of the plastic whereby a single piece unit is formed.

3, An improved squeeze mop comprising a transversely extending frame ofinverted U-shape, handle support means on the frame, a squeeze membercomprising a central operating member and two pressure members hingedlyconnected together to form a support for a sponge, a sponge connected tosaid members to form a surface on one side of the members, controlmembers hingedly attached at one edge to the pressure members andoperatively coupled to the said transversely extending frame at theirother edge, means connected to the operating member to move theoperating member into and out of the U-shaped frame whereby to move thepressure members from a position where they are relatively coextensivefor mopping to a position where they are substantially parallel forsqueezing, upstanding guide pins on said operating member engaging saidframe, the said central operating member and the two pressure members aswell as the control members being all formed of a plastic material withthe hinges thereof formed by thinner sections of the plastic whereby asingle piece unit is formed.

4. An improved squeeze mop comprising a transversely extending frame ofinverted U-shape, handle support means on the frame, a handle engaged onsaid support 7 means, a squeeze member comprising a central operatingmember and two pressure members hingedly connected together to form asupport for a sponge, a sponge connected to said members to form asurface on one side of the members, control members hingedly attached onone edge to the pressure members and engaging the said transverselyextending frame at their other edge, means to hingedly confine the saidother edge on the frame, a rod connected .to the operating member and toa lever on the handle to move the operating member into and out of theU-shaped frame whereby to move the pressure members from a positionwhere they are relatively co-extensive for mopping to a position wherethey are substantially parallel for squeezing, upstanding guide pins onsaid operating member engaging said frame, the said central operatingmember and the two pressure members as well as the control members beingall formed of a plastic material with the hinges thereof formed bythinner sections of the plastic whereby a single piece unit is formed.

5. For an improved squeeze mop comprising a transversely extending frameand handle support means on the frame, a squeeze member comprising acentral operating member and two pressure members and two controlmembers, said pressure members being adapted to support a sponge, saidpressure members being hinged by one edge on each side to said operatingmember to be substantially co-extensive therewith when in normalunfolded position, said control members being hinged at one edge one to5 6 each pressure member along a line substantially medial on ReferencesCited by the Examiner the said pressure members and extending upwardlythere- UNITED STATES PATENTS on with the free edges adapted to engagesaid frame, said operating member being adapted to be engaged by operat-2774092 11/1256 Vaugnn 15 1191 2,926,373 3/1/60 Knapp 15-119.1 mg meansguided 1n sa1d frame to move sa1d operatlng 5 3 147 502 9/1964 Richards15 119 1 X member medially between the parts of the frame Which engagesaid control members, said central operating mem- FOREIGN PATENTS herand the pressure members and the control members 617,197 3/1935 ybeingformed of a single piece of plastic with the hinges DANIEL BLUM, PrimarExaminer. formed by thinner sections thereof. 10 y

1. IN AN IMPROVED SQUEEZE MOP COMPRISING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING FRAME,HANDLE SUPPORT MEANS ON THE FRAME, A SQUEEZE MEMBER COMPRISING TWOPRESSURE MEMBERS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO FORM A SUPPORT FOR A SPONGE,CONTROL MEMBERS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO THE PRESSURE MEMBERS INTERMEDIATETHEIR EDGES AND OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO THE SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDINGFRAME, MEANS CONNECTED TO THE PRESSURE MEMBERS TO MOVE THEM ARCUATELYUNDER GUIDANCE OF THE CONTROL MEMBERS BY MOVING THE HINGEDINTERCONNECTION IN A MEDIAL PLANE, WHEREBY TO MOVE THE PRESSURE MEMBERSFROM A POSITION WHERE THEY ARE RELATIVELY CO-EXTENSIVE FOR MOPPING TO APOSITION WHERE THEY ARE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL FOR SQUEEZING, THE SAIDTWO PRESSURE MEMBERS AS WELL AS THE CONTROL MEMBERS BEING ALL FORMED OFA PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH THE HINGES THEREOF FORMED BY THINNER SECTIONS OFTHE PLASTIC WHEREBY A SINGLE PIECE UNIT IS FORMED.